Yeah, and _please_ don't trot out that old chestnut either about the reason that the Brits don't make computers is that they haven't figured out yet how to make one that leaks oil.
It's just not funny. Well, not _very_ funny, but then again, where would we be without humour?
I can only speak from my own experience. I owned a 1958 Jaguar MkI 2.4L from 1969-75. Wonderful car but the electrics really were spotty. I've owned a 1965 Pontiac LeMans (preserved, not restored) since 2000 with all the original Delco stuff and all I've had to replace was a tail light bulb. rick
Never heard that one before...
Besides...I never considered the oil droppings from my MGs and Triumph motorcycles to be leaks...they were just part of an elaborate recycling program....
As Dave said, they made to spec, and the quality reflects the demands of the customer. The electrics in my '66 Silver Shadow have been excellent, despite being nearly 40 years old. The only things that have gone wrong have been wear items (the contact plate in the ignition switch wore down) and my own fumbling. Emanuel (ps - thanks for the recs on urcc - I've found a replacement door for a sensible price)
Lucas York Road (now Goodrich Aerospace) also make the "control units" for Rolls Royce jet engines, these are the size of a suitcase stuffed full of military electronics, so they can make reliable material.
Lucas as a company is a very changed being: they are still very good a brake and diesel systems. Several VW cars use Lucas parts in their diesel engine management.
J.
I had a '57 3.4 in the early '70s, and had no problems at all with the electrics - surprising considering rust doesn't make for a good earth return.
I had more than one Delco distributor self destruct on a Vauxhall Viva. And that's the only vehicle I've ever had with Delco parts. Apart from a Delco battery on my present SD1 - sealed for life, which in its case was only two years.
The Delco distributors fitted to most Spitfires are absolute junk - they're the only Delco parts I've any experience of. Hardly comparable to the Lucas equivalents fitted to the same engine when installed in other Triumphs. Cheers, Bill.
-- Rarebits4classics .......just what you've been looking for
PO Box 1232 Calne Wiltshire SN11 8WA United Kingdom
And IIRC, it's US owned. They hated it so much they bought the company...
Completely agree...The worst thing on an 1850 Dolomite is the distributor...made by Delco. Jon
ISTR that it was actually a merger....The Chairman then upped stumps to the US so he could pay himself more....a lot more! Fat cat or what.
Jonners
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